adidaem

A unit in my block just sold for $865k. Don't think valuation is that high so COV seems to be holding. I see fewer ridiculous ads asking for over $100k COV tho.

I got my Brand new Grohe sets at 30% off. Am glad I did cos I had to call upon their support to calibrate the thermostatic feature which my plumber wasn't able to fix. Not sure if cheaper to get via shipping. Just sharing my personal experience.

Hey Battle, why don't you make a wet kitchen and a dry kitchen? Enclose the kitchen up to the bathroom wall with a sliding glass door? Then the outside you can retain as dry kitchen with sink, drinks prep area, baking prep area etc. I've nice condo layouts like that. Very nice and you'll get the practical cooking kitchen along with a gorgeous spacious dining/entertainment area. I do think ventilation will be a challenge... Perhaps need to install ventilating fan. To bring light into the kitchen, I'll also suggest installing a glass strip between the kitchen n living room. That way you can also keep an eye on your kids while you are in the kitchen? I have a strip like that in my kitchen: http://emrenoblog.wordpress.com/2011/09/10/completed-pics-kitchen/ Oh ya and the toilet will be kinda a separate area, which I much prefer. Just my neurosis about toilets being in the kitchens acting up again. Inspirations from qeeple: http://www.qeeple.com/search/open%20concept%20kitchen?module=search&section=search&search_keyword=open%20concept%20kitchen&uid=20cc4c0ce7ef6ecbac609fa9934c386e&__utma=25937213.1064478904.1318061292.1327167677.1328948924.11&__utmz=25937213.1328948924.11.6.utmcsr=google|utmccn=(organic)|utmcmd=organic|utmctr=dry%20kitchen%20qeeple&qses=af58391be5092a989b29fe2467061504&__utmb=25937213.3.10.1328948924&__utmc=25937213&page_n=1

Interior Affairs at Tai Seng is having sale on Grohe stuff again. http://interior-affairs.com.sg/promotions.html

Let us know if you change your mind!

Hey I prefer the original layout with the long island too. If you are going to have heavy cooking tho, perhaps best not to have even the opening. The smell will still travel out. Else just go for the nice long island? Have a look: http://www.renotalk.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=44715&view=findpost&p=686937

From the pic, looks like binka stays one or 2 floors below a loft unit. Maybe binka can let us know? I guess my stone looking grey outdoor tiles helps to camou dust. I don't have an issue with the balcony being exposed to the elements.

You are so creative, don't embarrass myself lar. Hey, I'm also highly "practical living" too... as my pages of queries to my IDs can attest to. If you want to get a separate ac contractor, best to ask if your contractor will be willing to work with your aircon contractor. Some may not, cos they don't want to help coordinate, or have had unpleasant experiences cos some ac contractors are not willing to make multiple trips or sometimes damage work already done such as false walls, painting, etc. E.g. in my case, both contractors were willing to work together, along with my IDs to minimize and hide the trucking and pipes. To do so, I think my ac contractor made 2-3 trips to my place, 1st time for initial assessment/discussion of where to put the blowers and run pipes, then the piping/compressor installation and then the blower installation. At my place, it's so windy that I've had guests who request for aircon instead cos they find the wind too cold... that is one extreme case but there will be times when the weather becomes warm e.g. middle of the year. Since ac is not something you can install whenever you feel like it (it's an infrastructure type of appliance), the advice I got when I did my reno was to install even if I don't think I'll use it often. Btw, I use my rain shower very often and love my thermostatic controls too. Super wasteful tho, so I try not too indulge too often.

Hi Piknik, if you intend to install aircon in the living room, I think 9K BTU is not enough. Mine is like a 20K for living, 17K for dining, 12K for MBR (cos it's bigger than the other rooms) & 9K for the rest of the rooms. No point going for the cheapest aircon quote that ignores the cooling capacity required (and during my research phase I realized that most salespersons dunno anything about BTU calculations and requirements and just want you to go for the sets with best commission). The BTU was decided after computation of the cooling capacity that is required based on room size. Taken from this site: http://www.coolserve.com.sg/htmdocs/faq/faq.asp#2 A good store would be able to advise you of your apartment requirements based on your room measurements.

Oh I see, I didn't know about the trellis. Thanks for the pic. Interesting that HDB designed the terraces that way. I don't agree that wet = rendered useless tho, it's just part of the design. Just need to get some outdoor furniture with big umbrella for alfresco dining (I'm guessing HDB won't allow the roof to be covered). That's what my friends with open (condo) terraces do. I guess from what you have written so far that you don't like the open terrace design very much, but so long as Wendi n family is happy staying there, that's all that matters right? Besides Bishan's famous sky terraces are open to the sky too and their resale prices are astronomical. I'm guessing that in time to come, Wendi will be able to make a nice profit on their 1st home. It's a penthouse loft apartment wor... how many people can/will be able to stay in a penthouse loft apartment in their lifetime?

I'm guessing minimal to no renovation needed? Considering that a full reno for a 5 room HDB costs like $40-50K (?), a $60K COV sounds reasonable to me. Unless you think you can find a similar apartment for $20K or lesser COV (I doubt possible at this time), else if you like the reno, might as well save the trouble and get a place that is in move-in condition. I would be curious why the owner is moving out after such a recent reno tho. Telok Blangah is an established estate with good amenities and is really close to town... I'm not sure how often units in those point blocks come up for sale (I heard not that frequently) so, if I like the place, I would seriously consider getting it.

There you go... More pics of my balcony here: http://emrenoblog.wordpress.com/2011/09/10/completed-pics-balcony/ Hmm... if my place isn't done up and I have the time to go often, I probably would too. First house mah, of course excited and happy. Most new homeowners would be I believe. It's not that special cos thousands of HDB maisonettes and condos (probably penthouses tho) have open terrace/balconies, but then again it's not all that common. The openness is certainly a feature most visitors to my place like, tho they share the usual concern on rain splashing in. In my place, it's not too bad. Not like my entire balcony will get wet, more like 1/3 of it. We can sit in the balcony when the rain is light. Plus my tiles and balcony furniture are supposed to be weather-safe so I don't really worry about stuff getting wet. Still, I would recommend roller shutters to Wendi cos of the afternoon sun, and shutters will also help to block the rain.

How about Camilla d'Errico? I don't have any prints, but her works caught my eye while I was browsing the net.

Think about ease of maintenance/bulb changes. Given the height, I'll stick to LED lights. Space furniture at Bencoolen have some spaces high ceiling. You can have a look at how they decorated the space. Personally I like the Moooi Raimond lamp in a few sizes.

No prob. I remember that store cos the diffusers have unusual designs I seldom see in SG. E.g. Flowers, cactus, etc. Many types of scents too. Something for CNY perhaps? http://www.threesixfivedays.com/ And http://imcmsimages.mediacorp.sg/CMSFileserver/documents/006/PDF/20110122/2201SHW012.pdf

Oh found someone who roofed up their interaction balcony. Have a look: http://www.renotalk.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=21596&st=320

Vivocity at the atrium stall near the Giant/Cold Storage/Guardian exit there is a shop that sells nice diffusers. It's a brand from Thailand but unfortunately I can't recall the brand/store name. Perhaps save a long drive (or potential jam) since its CNY period.

I see managing the heat as the main challenge (used to stay in a west facing apartment). As others have mentioned, solar films would help (without obstructing the sky view and airiness)... Blinds so you don't have wash and rehang curtains... Perhaps a ceiling fan (or 2?). I use my fans daily and they really help to cool the room. My IDs got my long balcony fan (2.5 m? long pole) from Khind btw: http://www.relitespecialty.com/contact_us.php For the balcony, I think roller shutters that EM owners install would help. I only know of Paul Aluminium. All the best for your reno!

Congrats on moving in! Looks good!

True, shopping is quite fun but I hated to pay tho. Enjoy the process! Worth the effort when you finally settle down in your new place. Jia you. Thanks.

I only remember Rottenramone's place at Bt Batok: http://www.renotalk.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=39424 Didn't cover up the balcony tho. Think you can call your HDB officer to check? If it's a common feature in your estate, I guess he/she may have prior experience.

You can have a look at my t-blog. White cabinets, wardrobe, walls and 1st floor tiles (mine is an EM). Links in my signature if you are logged in to rt. Not sure about maintenance, but my place looks much brighter post-Reno. Good luck with brightening your place.

From the pics the tiles feel a bit 'cold'. Could be cos they are reflective. Will you be having any carpets to soften the look? And I feel the 2 non-matching doors and hinges distracts from the minimalism... do you plan to do anything about them? No offense meant ya?

Oki, 2 more revisions... the common changes: 1. Rubbish chute moved to yard (hide all the ugly things and less cockroach?) 2. Length of island reduced to 3m. Still can easily seat 4 pax on one side. 3. Reduced island to accommodate passageway for easy access to yard for owner n guests (who need to visit the loo) instead of going around the island. 4. Build the cabinets on the right side - It will be needed anyway in the future and otherwise poses a lighting symmetry problem cos I visualise the downlights from the main entrance to be in a row down the passageway. If there isn't any cabinets, have to install lights which is expensive anyway. Might as well build cabinets. 5. Kitchen cabinets - aligned with lowered ceiling... and added a spice rack. Lights & fans: 6. 4 baby KDK fans all around the living and kitchen/dining rooms for ventilation 7. Cove lights all down the central 'spine'/beam 8. Downlights at the sides around the living room 9. Downlights at the kitchen prep area from below the upper cabinets. 10. FL lights for kitchen at the lowered ceiling area (based on my kitchen design, needed for their brightness cos downlights are just not bright enough) And the difference bt the 2 pics: i) First pic still has a baby sink (for washing fruits, vegs and refilling coffee machine, plus for guests to wash hands?), but moved from the end to the front of the island. ii) 2nd pic has the stove in the island instead, so no need baby sink and the main sink is moved from the window area. The counter corner at window could be used as a mini herb garden for fresh basil, pandan leaves, etc. I think prefer the revised layout (vs the original one I posted) cos of better ventilation (fans!) and I think the lighting is now better thought out. Of the 2, I prefer the 1st cos I prefer to have a backsplash where I cook, but since you like to be TV cook show host... I think the 2nd one will suit your preference better plus I also like the herb garden idea... Haiz, ok enough of me playing around with your floorplan. Now we wait for your actuals. Will your ID be providing 3Ds?

Have a look at the links in my signature. You can see all the links when you are logged into RT.